Hot on the heels of their sell-out concert production of 'Mallory on the Mountain' at The Lowry, Imaginality Productions, founded by Old Stopfordian Ollie Mills (OS 2012), is set to release the world premiere of ‘Realms Of Glory - a Blitz story' in December 2022.

About 'Realms of Glory':

It's Christmas 1940 and the Blitz has come to Manchester. Set to a toe-tapping score inspired by the golden age of wartime music, this brand-new musical tells the story of the lively locals trying to navigate their broken world. Trapped beneath the streets, Lizzie Horton takes us on a whistle-stop tour of her life in Manchester; her formative years, a whirlwind romance with her RAF pilot husband, Bob, and encounters with her pals Mavis, Jim and Ida. Guaranteed to raise some smiles and prepare you for the Festive season, "Realms Of Glory" takes a heartwarming look at dealing with grief and fighting for second chances.

Beneath the iconic brickwork of 53two’s 150-year-old arches, expect a Christmas tale like no other that will warm your cockles and fill your hearts.

'Realms of Glory' will also star Imaginality Productions very own Alex Cosgriff (OS 2014) in a leading roll.

Cast and Creatives

Writer (Book, Music & Lyrics) / Director - Ollie Mills

Co-Writer (Book) - Rachel Mann

Musical Director - Joe Clayton

Stage Manager - Emily Humphrys

Imaginality Productions is grateful to be generously supported by Simon Naylor and 53two.

The production will be held at 53two's new venue between 14th-22nd December 2022.  Book your tickets here.

About Ollie Mills (OS 2012)

Ollie is a Composer & Director from Manchester, with 11 years experience working in music and the wider arts world. He trained at The University Of York, specialising in Vocals, Composing & Conducting. Ollie premiered his first stage musical, The Tree Of War, in 2014, to mark the centenary of the Great War; a project co-written with writer and frequent collaborator Rachel Mann, with whom he is now developing Realms Of Glory. 

As a composer, he has written in a wide range of genres, with his work appearing on TV, in regional theatre, concerts and numerous online platforms; whilst also frequently taking commissions as a songwriter and choral arranger. 

In other walks of life, Ollie works in music education and as a vocal animateur. Find out more here.

About Alex Cosgriff (OS 2014)

Alex is an actor, singer and theatre maker from Manchester represented by David Ball Management, who after obtaining a degree in English Literature and Theatre from the University of Sheffield, went on to train in professional acting at the Oxford School of Drama.

As well as regularly performing with Imaginality Productions, some notable credits include West End Cabaret Hopelessly Devoted to Me, new Manchester based musical The Rise by Graham Lappin, Adam in Small at Soho Theatre London, Caliban in The Tempest at the Pendley Shakespeare Festival, the 2017 and 2018 UK Tours of The Iconoclasts and the multi-award winning Buried.

About Imaginality Productions

Imaginality Productions is a brand-new home for British musicals.  Founded in 2021 by Artistic Director Ollie Mills, Imaginality is a platform for original theatre with a heart in the North West, UK. 

The company has a particular passion for unearthing lesser-known historical stories and finding exciting, innovative and entertaining ways of bringing them to new audiences. 

Imaginality Productions has an exciting body of work planned for 2023 and is currently seeking sponsorship / support from other companies. If you are interested in finding out more about future work or support get in touch at contact@imaginalityproductions.co.uk.